Aftercare Report: Death care industry news, read for you.
Regulation & licensing
Dent County court stays revocation of James & Gahr Mortuary licenses
A Dent County court stayed Missouri's revocation of James & Gahr Mortuary licenses on Oct. 20, so the funeral homes can keep operating during the appeal.
Preneed & insurance
SCI reports flat funeral volumes and sets 2026 adjusted EPS at $3.94 to $4.04
Regulation & licensing
Ontario's BAO will raise licensing fees 2.1% starting November 1, 2026
Why this mattersThe BAO frames this as an inflation adjustment to an existing fee structure, not a new levy or a change to how fees are calculated.
Regulation & licensing
Illinois lawmaker drafting unified oversight bill after more than 50 bodies found at South Chicago Chapel
After more than 50 decomposing bodies were found at South Chicago Chapel, a state lawmaker is drafting a bill to put funeral homes and crematories under one regulator.
Latest
All latest- Regulation & licensing
Ontario regulator's notice tells cemetery operators price lists must be clear and match what is charged
Ontario's regulator says cemetery price lists must be available on request, easy to read and match prices charged, with care and maintenance set at the listed price.
- Regulation & licensing
Ontario registrar orders Diocese of Kingston cemetery operator to stop selling licensed supplies and services
Ontario's registrar under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 has ordered a Kingston cemetery operator to stop selling licensed supplies and services, saying the operator failed to meet reporting obligations and to comply with an order for information.
- Regulation & licensing
Florida bans exclusive funeral-service deals with hospice and end-of-life providers
A Florida law taking effect July 1, 2026 bars funeral providers from exclusive-service deals with hospice and end-of-life care entities, while also easing licensure for out-of-state funeral directors and dropping a college law-course requirement.
- Regulation & licensing
Missouri board revokes Butler County funeral director's license over death certificates
Missouri's State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors revoked the funeral director and embalmer licenses of Andrew Trammel Moore of Butler County on March 26, 2026, citing false statements on one death certificate and failure to file another.
- Cremation & alternatives
NFDA report puts 2025 US cremation rate at 63.4%, projects 82.3% by 2045
The National Funeral Directors Association's 2025 Cremation & Burial Report puts the US cremation rate at 63.4% against a 31.6% burial rate, and projects cremation will reach 82.3% by 2045 and exceed 50% in every state by 2035.
- Consolidation & ownership
Park Lawn adds Oklahoma City funeral homes and cemetery in first 2026 deal
Toronto-based Park Lawn Corporation acquired two funeral homes and a combination funeral home and cemetery in Oklahoma City, effective January 12, 2026, adding to its roll-up of North American death care businesses.